History: It was originally called Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I. World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, the fighting ended about seven months before that when the Allies and Germany put into effect an armistice on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, was largely considered the end of “the war to end all wars” and dubbed Armistice Day. In 1926, Congress officially recognized it as the end of the war, and in 1938, it became an official holiday, primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I. But then World War II and the Korean War happened, so on June 1, 1954, at the urging of veterans service organizations, Congress amended the commemoration yet again by changing the word “armistice” to “veterans” so the day would honor American veterans of all wars.
Today we want to share with you a few of our Veterans here at Adobe and about the person who inspired them to join the Military services.
My inspiration to serve comes from my Father, Fred Schoenberger. Dad was an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Officer and Driver in the US Navy. After leaving the Navy he used his explosives expertise as a rocket systems safety officer on NASA’s ground breaking Surveyor Mission, the lunar landing mission that would enabled future Apollo Missions. Yours truly Charlie Schoenberger, Dirty Tanker Charlie (US Army-OPFOR training units for Desert Storm)
My father, Walter G. Crisanto, who served in the US Army National Guard during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class. It was while he was serving in Korea when he received his US naturalization papers. My father was an immigrant from Italy who fled to the States during WWII with his mother and his siblings at the age of 16, meeting his father for the first time. I, Stefanie Crisanto went on to enroll in the AF ROTC program while getting my degree at UNC Chapel Hill and when I was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, it was my father and my Aunt Connie, who, herself, served in the USAF, both pinned on my lieutenant bars. My father didn’t really talk much about his time in Korea, as most war veterans don’t, but he not only supported my decision to join the AF, he imparted me with some really great advice before I left for my first duty assignment that to this day, continues to serve me well.
My father, Rudy DeSilva (pictured on the right). Career Army officer, served in WWII (Europe), also in Korea. He was captured following the Battle of Chosin Reservoir – spending ~30 months as a Prisoner of War (POW) in North Korea. He also served in Vietnam. His tenacity and courage always inspired me as an “Army Brat” and I, David DeSilva, went on to join the Navy where I served 10 years active duty and 13 in the reserves. (Note: this picture was taken by Frank E. "Pappy" Noel – AP photographer who was also captured and held in the same POW camp.)
I, George Sadler, want to recognize three folks who were incredibly influential in my choice to spend the first 13 years of my working career serving in our military. #1 – My dad (Marine Gunnery Sergeant George Sadler Jr.) who served in Vietnam and raised two sons to respect the flag, our country, and service to it. #2 – My recruiter (Marine Master Sergeant Mark Samuals) who kicked me out of his office multiple times to make sure I was serious when I told him “I want to enlist for 6 years as a Marine Infantryman with guaranteed station overseas” #3 – My high school buddy (and former Marine) Mike Oberstar, who enlisted shortly after me during our senior year in high school and walked that year with me dedicated to our Corps as future Marines.
My sweet Grandpa spend 28 years serving in the Navy. He was a Korean War Veteran and had so much pride for his country. He forged his parent’s signature when he graduated High School so he could join the military, and the only reason he retired is because he had met the age threshold at the time. It was truly an honor to him to have the privilege to serve our country, and it was an honor to me to follow in his footsteps and continue his legacy, Kindra Garrett.
This is my father, David Cartier, in 1960, who is also my hero in life. He served as a proud Marine, and still is to this day, Semper Fi! My path was with the Army, serving in the Middle East. The values instilled to me by my father, (and mother), was by their examples as individuals of service both for our community and to our country, Caprice Cartier.
My late father - LtC Manuel L. Bulanon MD USA (RET). One of the things that my dad impressed upon me was how he could be easygoing and yet focused at the same time. As I got older, I, Marcel Bulanon, learned that pretty much everyone that worked with my Dad genuinely enjoyed working with him and at the same time "got things done". I asked him how he was able to do this - he told me that the easiest way to get things done is when everyone on the team understands the objective and respects each other. And that you will never get true, genuine respect by expecting or demanding it. Respect is always earned - regardless of rank or position. And you earn it by treating people the way you want to be treated and to let your work tasks speak for itself and fits to that objective. That inspired me to join the Navy, as I didn't have much focus or an objective at the time lol. After a total of eight years of service, I had a much better definition of both. After 20+ years in high tech (16+ here at Adobe), it totally rings true to me.
My shipmates from USS Tarawa LHA-1. I’m the sailor in the middle standing sideways. After college, an uncle I rarely saw was visiting family in Missouri. He was a retired US Navy officer. He and I met during his visit and he did quite an inspirational “sales job” about the possibilities afforded in the Navy. I enlisted later that year as a member of the Navy Nuclear Power Program. I spent almost two years as a student; in-rate training as a naval electrician, then Nuclear Power School at Mare Island Shipyard in CA plus hands-on training at a nuclear reactor facility in Idaho. I was a member of the new construction & commissioning crew of the USS Tarawa LHA-1, the first of five ships in a new class of general-purpose amphibious assault ships. Joining the Navy changed the course of my life, and I have (mostly) fond memories of the people I met, the duty stations, plus the ports-of-call and parts of the world I visited, Rick Corley.
I , Suzanne Wagner, wasn’t sure how best to participate / contribute on this, so I thought I would share some of my background with you. I am a patriot, the daughter / granddaughter / cousin / sister-in-law to several veterans (i.e. my Dad served in the Navy, both of my grandfathers served in the Navy, one of my uncles served in the Navy, my brother served in the Marines, I have a cousin that was Air Force and another that was Army), and I became a Gold Star mom on 9/21/2010 after my oldest son (CW3 Matthew G. Wagstaff) was KIA when his UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter went down during a black ops mission in Qalat, Afghanistan.
I, Amanda Lopez, knew it was important to include the armed forces into my workspace, but I didn’t quite get it until my one of my brothers enlisted in the Navy over 10 years ago. Now having two brothers in the armed forces (one that has finished service and another that is current active duty with the Air Force) I carry the importance of creating a more inclusive space for folks that have served everywhere I go. Yeah, I’m not perfect with understanding all of the terminology or acronyms and I’m never going to understand what it’s like to serve, but I can be an excellent ally and support system to those that serve. Thank you KC and KP!
My inspiration, My father, Armando Arturo Medrano. Vietnam Vet, served in the US Army. First generation Mexican-American, my father proudly enlisted in 1964 when he was only 18. This was a selfless act, as he enlisted so that his little brother would not be drafted. As a result of enlisting, he quickly excelled in rank, served two tours and eventually retired in 1974. He went on to get his Bachelors and Masters in Education. He is currently an elementary school teacher at the Ft. Bliss military base in El Paso, TX. Michelle Shillinglaw,
Heather St. Peter, My inspiration to join the Army came from my Step-Dad who taught me that struggling through tough things is the best way to show a commitment to something worth while. He was in the Vietnam war and when I was growing up, he struggled with a lot of the fall out from that experience, but he never once gave up on his family and working it out. To this day, he still gives straight from the heart, tells the truth and genuinely shows commitment to the things that matter to him.
My father is an Army Vet. His service to country is just one of the ways he inspires me and his granddaughters. He’s quick to serve, quick to provide a civics lesson based on the day’s news and always inspires us to find how we can be of service to others. I am thankful to the Adobe Veterans Network to highlight the men and women who put service at the forefront of their lives. Thank you! Kerry Jamison.
One photo is my Command photo (when I Jon Monroe) was a Company Commander), and the other is my father’s Command Photo (John R Monroe). Though my father retired when I was very young (2 years old), and passed away when I was 14 years old, the characteristics of military life were always a part of my formative years. Basic principles like: Showing respect for elders, calling adults by “Sir” or “Ma’am,” and always saying “Yes,” or “Thank you, but no thank you” were all just a part of growing up. Giving back and being thankful for what we had was also a part of growing up, so while my father never pushed me to go into the military, it was an easy decision one of the best I ever made.
Credits:
Created with images by Samuel Branch - "America" • Diana Parkhouse - "Remembrance crosses in my town in England."